While we’re on the subject of pocket-sized but professional-grade technology, let’s spend a little time with the HP Mini 311 Notebook, the best answer yet to the form versus function dilemma so often presented by the netbook.
Besides it’s seriously sleek exterior, (really, it conjures up images of a James Bond gadget room), the 311 has equally serious tech cred that outstrips its peers: impressive battery life, speakers that are louder and clearer than your average tinny laptop fare, and an amazing capacity to create and display killer graphics unlike any other netbook — the resolution on the display is 1366 x 768. Somehow all of this is packed into an 11.4 x 8.0 x 1.2 in package, more or less the same size as a sheet of notebook paper.
Of course, an uber-portable computer isn’t nearly as fun without a great carrying case, and for that there’s nothing more covetable than this Vintage Style Postal Sleeve.
What better way to bring a classic touch to a hot-off-the-presses gadget? It looks like hours spent in the airport just got a whole lot better.
Sometimes iPods can be a bit of a catch-22 for music lovers: they’re the ultimate individualized (sometimes antisocial) listening device, but with the right speakers they would also be the perfect vehicle for portable playlists at impromptu parties. Of course, there are plenty of iPod docks and speakers on the market, but plugging a device that’s meant to be so portable into a clunky set of speakers somehow feels incongruous, going against the take-it-anywhere spirit of the device.
As I come to terms with the fact that carrying a giant boombox everywhere you go is both inconvenient and occasionally inappropriate, I’ve been on the hunt looking for an iPod dock that looks good without taking up all my shelf space. It’s harder to find than you would think, but I’ve gotten to be a huge fan of the Altec Lansing Octiv Mini, which packs a lot of speaker power into its neat little 4.2 x 4.2 x 7.8 frame. It’s also compatible with all models of iPods and iPhones which, again, is harder to find in dock speakers than you would think. Different people have different speaker priorities, but to me this means that I can change music quickly (or yield DJ duty and let someone else plug in) without having to hassle with an elaborate system or, worse, subject my friends to the tinny sound of laptop speakers.
If you happen to be busting out these speakers for an end-of-summer barbecue, go ahead and put them to good use blasting Best Coast’s new album Crazy For You. A sweet, beach-y throwback, it’s the perfect soundtrack to the dwindling days of summer, the time when we simultaneously get sentimental about sunburns past and brace ourselves for fall. Yes, it really is just around the corner, so revel in these sun-drenched tunes while it still feels seasonal.
I’ve spent a long time being awed and intimidated by those people who somehow manage to get each picture they take to turn out like a small work of art, but I recently realized a key secret: if you’re going to snap like a pro, you need a camera that can live up to your lofty photographic goals. Even a good amateur photog needs the right tools to get the job done, and it’s time I left behind my beloved disposable camera for something a little more grown up.
For stellar photography that you can pull off in the day-to-day (without photo shoot-sized equipment), there’s nothing better on the market right now than the 5D Canon Mark II.
You might not guess it at first glance, but this sleek little piece of equipment is a full frame professional grade camera that’s smaller (and more convenient) than most of its counterparts on the market. The 5D II is also member of DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) family of digital cameras, meaning you can preview and set up your shot more accurately and with minimal effort.
Thankfully, all these features won’t add up to a giant camera bag that will have people mistaking you for a lost member of the paparazzi – the 5D really is incredibly compact for a professional camera, so you can just grab it on your way out, snap some pictures when the spirit moves you, and bask in the onslaught of admiration for your photography skills.
You know that saying “The clothes make the man”? Well I would argue for a culinary-minded update that goes something like, “The knives make the chef.”
Anyone will tell you that a good set of knives is the cornerstone to a kitchen, and I’m especially convinced of this lately, thanks to a recent cooking experience that was nothing short of other-wordly. I was helping out in a friend’s kitchen recently when she handed me the greatest cooking tool I have ever encountered: the Kyocera ceramic knife.
These genius Japanese knives leave their steel counterparts in the dust, with a ceramic blade that is both longer-lasting and easier to clean. Most importantly, they make for chopping that’s smoother and easier than ever seemed possible, speeding up the cooking process in a huge way and making chopping, normally the territory of the sous-chef, unexpectedly fun.
When it actually comes time to sit down and eat (unfortunately, you will have to stop chopping eventually), I’m also a big fan of Wusthof’s line of steak knives. Everything in this line is meticulously designed, from the stain-resistant serrated blades to the stainless steel handles, both efficient and sleek enough to do justice to your undoubtedly excellent choice of steak. Side bonus: they also allow you to blow your friends’ amateur grilling efforts out of the water. And what’s barbecue season without a little healthy competition?
When it comes to flats for work, it can be hard to upgrade from your sneakers without relying too heavily on the ubiquitous ballet flat trend. For a shoe that feels unique but still says “take me seriously, I’ll eventually be your boss,” there’s no better option than leather loafers — classic, comfortable, and versatile, they’re pretty much the perfect shoe for any occasion that doesn’t require either stilettos or galoshes.
The most reliable source I’ve found yet for quality loafers is Etienne Aigner, a great little line that also has a solid collection of gold and silver jewelry, my longtime weakness. While it’s impossible to go wrong with an understated dark brown, I was beyond excited when I came across this pair in “beach nude,” which is a little more versatile when it comes to summer skirts, dresses, or a good pair of white pants.
But let’s not forget about the jewelry: besides turning out a reliable arsenal of basic hoops, studs, and bracelets, this line features an unexpectedly playful mix of gold and silver on a lot of their pieces. It’s not an easy look to make work, but pieces like this necklace definitely fit the bill, and can add a nice twist to an otherwise subdued work outfit. Gold, meet Silver: it’s time you two got better acquainted.
It’s time to make a confession: I have been known to blatantly steal decorating ideas from my friends. And I don’t even feel that bad about it. Really, people in your social circle can be the best source of inspiration when it comes to home decor, and taking a quick look around other people’s apartments is a lot quicker (and more fun) than flipping through stacks and stacks of magazines.
Most recently, I was inspired by a friend who peppers his apartment with Diptyque candles, a habit he formed after surreptitiously doing away with his roommate’s plug-in air freshener. Candles have always been a great way to add instant ambiance to a space, whether it’s a dinner party or a last-minute, wine-fueled rooftop party, and none fit the bill as well as Diptyque.
The entire range smells fantastic, and it doesn’t take much to give your entire place a fresh scent that lingers without being too overpowering — the Mimosa one is ideal for this time of year. I also love the simple, vaguely Deco black and white design, which fits in instantly with pretty much any design scheme you already have.
And, when you find yourself scrambling, I’ve found these to be a great fallback when it comes time to pick up a last-minute host/hostess, wedding, or birthday gift, with enough variety in scent to suit the taste of just about anyone you’re shopping for — they’ll never realize that you forgot to shop for them sooner.
For those of us still working our way up to a house in the Hamptons or some other beachfront getaway, we have to get a little more creative when it comes to finding ways to bliss out in the middle of a hot, city summer. We also have to get a little creative when it comes to finding workouts that won’t leave us feeling woozy from the heat.
After ignoring the trend for years I’ve recently become a major yoga convert — it’s an amazing way to both tone up and clear your head in the middle of an otherwise frenetic schedule. Given the ancient exercise’s recent upswing in popularity, it can be overwhelming to navigate the wide world of gear that has cropped up along with it, and a new line of celebrity-endorsed yoga pants seems to surface every day. I’ve stopped looking, though, because Gaiam gear is a great go-to for all things yoga, particularly their rubber mats which are simple, adorable, and have great traction.
Maybe equally important, the whole company is committed to fair trade, sustainability, and various social issues around the globe with both their business model and the materials they use for their products. This means that when you pick up a mat or a DVD from Gaiam you’re also supporting a long list of worthwhile causes, and getting double the peace of mind from your yoga.
Shop for Gaiam yoga and pilates equipment.
Summer is to me, the very best time of year, not to mention the season when it’s easiest to pull off a casual, I-just-threw-this-on look. It does, however, pose one major style and beauty problem: heat, humidity, and constant sun exposure aren’t exactly gentle on your hair, and not all of us can pull off the shaved head look quite as well as Natalie Portman.
Staving off frizz and general unruliness is no small task, but in this case a good dry shampoo-flat iron combo will do the trick. Flat-irons can be notoriously damaging if you buy the wrong one, though, so it’s worth investing in a quality ceramic model like this FHI flatiron. I’ve come to swear by – it’ll straighten things out without inflicting any excess damage on your locks.
It works especially well if you prep or even follow up with a good dry shampoo like Frederick Fekkai au naturel to get rid of excess moisture -no one wants to look like they just got back from 6 mile run five minutes after leaving the house. Instead just sprinkle in a little of this — bonus points: it smells great — and you’re good to go. It’s your call whether or not to tell people that you just rolled out of bed with perfect hair.
When it comes to accessorizing for work, the common wisdom says that it’s important to express your personality or, more to the point, to avoid fading into the beige background of your cubicle walls. But with jewelry there can sometimes be a fine line between dressing to stand out and dressing like you’re headed for the club, so if I find a look that works I tend to repeat it to the point of excess. This has been the case with me and my hoop earrings for ages — in either gold or silver they’re versatile and can project totally different styles based on size (these Fossil hoops fit the bill perfectly), but wearing the same thing every day has gotten more than a little old.
Thankfully, I came across tortoise Ralph Lauren style a couple of weeks ago, and have been unabashedly obsessed ever since. While both hoops and tortoise are total staples in the world of accessories, you almost never see the two together, which makes for a really fresh and unexpected twist on a classic. The tortoise is also subtle enough that even if you happen to have a day where you’ve really piled on the jewelry (hey, sometimes that’s what it takes to get up in the morning), there’s zero risk of this look going overboard. Instead, it’ll look like you threw on a great pair of earrings from your grandmother’s collection… even if you only bought them last week.
Sure, summer is the season of going out all the time, braving the sun, and occasionally running yourself ragged. But summer is also the season of days when it’s sometimes way too hot out to do anything but sit in front of a fan sipping something on the rocks and listening to a great record. They’re not exactly the hottest digital gadget on the market, but I’m a big advocate of record players as an investment, a piece of interior design and, well, a calmer way to listen to music. With so many artists now releasing their albums on old school LPs (She & Him, Zooey Deschanel’s collaboration with M. Ward, recently committed their bluesy second album to vinyl), record players have moved beyond their former status as a throwback and are now a necessary part of your entertaining arsenal.
This, of course, raises a key question: do you buy vintage or go for a newer model? Personally, I’ve found that while vintage turntables sound like a great idea (and look really cool) they break just as quickly. But you don’t have to choose between form and function here, because Crosley makes an entire line of spanking new record players that look like they belong in a World War II-era living room but include features like radios and CD players alongside the standard turntable.
I’m a particularly big fan of this model in an oak casing – it looks great as a piece of furniture, and also doesn’t take up much space in a cramped apartment. So go ahead: take a night off, have a couple people over, and soak in some vinyl and maybe a Rob Roy.
